The Latest: Operator says ride was inspected before accident

The Latest on Ohio State Fair's deadly accident when a ride broke apart. (all times local):

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4:45 p.m.

The operator of a thrill ride that flew apart at the Ohio State Fair and killed one person says it was looked over several times by its staff and independent inspectors.

Amusements of America says those inspections took place before the fair opened Wednesday in Columbus.

The accident Wednesday evening killed an 18-year-old high school student and injured seven others.

Amusements of America said Thursday that it's committed to working with investigators to determine the cause.

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The maker of the ride is ordering the same rides to be shut down at fairs around the world.

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2:45 p.m.

The manufacturer of a thrill ride that ride broke apart at the Ohio State Fair, killing one person, is ordering the rides to be shut down around the world.

Dutch manufacturer KMG said Thursday that it's telling operators to cease operations until it can investigate and learn more about what caused the malfunction.

The company says there are 43 such rides around the world, including 11 in the United States. The order doesn't impact the company's other rides.

It says the accident Wednesday evening was the first such serious malfunction on one of the rides.

Authorities say the 18-year-old who was killed was a high school student who had just enlisted in the Marines.

Seven others, including four teenagers, were injured. Some people were hit by debris.

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1 p.m.

The 18-year-old man killed when a thrill ride broke apart at the Ohio State Fair had just signed up with the Marines a week ago.

The U.S. Marine Corps says in a statement that Tyler Jarrell of Columbus had enlisted last Friday and was to begin basic training next summer.

Authorities say seven others, including four teenagers, were injured when the ride malfunctioned Wednesday evening. Some people were hit by debris.

Gov. John Kasich says it's too early to speculate about what happened and is promising a thorough investigation.

The fair is open Thursday, but all the rides have been shut down and will go through another inspection.

Fairs in California, New Jersey and Canada have since closed similar rides.

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12:30 p.m.

An Indiana-based ride operator says it is halting use of the thrill ride like the one that broke apart at the Ohio State Fair.

Spokeswoman Amy Girton for North American Midway Entertainment of Farmland says it shut down its Fire Ball ride at the K-Days festival in Edmonton, Canada, after a ride operated by Amusements of America malfunctioned in Columbus, Ohio, killing one man and injuring seven other people.

Girton says the company stopped use of its three Fire Ball rides as a "precautionary safety measure." One was slated for next month's Indiana State Fair, which announced Thursday the joint decision against using it.

In Ohio, Butler County Fair operations manager Cathy Hangbers says she received calls earlier this week asking if the Hamilton fair had the popular Fire Ball ride. It doesn't.

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Noon

Ohio's governor is promising a thorough investigation into what caused a thrill ride on the Ohio State Fair midway to break apart and send riders tumbling through the air.

Authorities say an 18-year-old died when the ride malfunctioned Wednesday evening and seven people were injured, including a 14-year-old boy.

Gov. John Kasich says he doesn't want to speculate about whether inspectors may have missed something or if there was some sort of mechanical failure.

He says state officials will do everything they can to make sure the fair is safe.

The fair opened Thursday, but all the rides were shut down and will go through another inspection.

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11:30 a.m.

The Dutch manufacturer of the fairground ride that broke apart at the Ohio State Fair, killing one man and injuring seven other people, says it was built in 1998 in the Netherlands.

The company, KMG, said Thursday in an emailed response to AP questions that there are 43 such rides around the world, including 11 in the United States.

Bas Derkink wrote that the Ohio accident was the first such serious malfunction on one of the rides. KMG technicians are not involved in maintaining the Ohio ride.

Albert Kroon, of KMG, told Dutch National broadcaster NOS that the company was on the phone with rescuers to help them figure out how to free those still in the seats after the accident.

He says he was shocked by the accident and that the company's first priority was "freeing the injured people who were still in the seats."

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11 a.m.

Authorities say the man killed when a thrill ride broke apart at the Ohio State Fair is an 18-year-old from Columbus.

The State Highway Patrol says seven others were injured Wednesday when the Fire Ball ride malfunctioned and sent riders flying into the air.

The patrol identified the man who was killed as Tyler Jarrell of Columbus. The others injured range in age from 14 to 42.

The fair is open again Thursday, but all of its amusement rides remain closed.

Gov. John Kasich says all the rides will be closed until they are inspected and deemed safe.

A video shows the ride's large arm in motion above its platform when a crashing sound is heard and a four-passenger carriage on the arm breaks apart. Riders can be seen flying into the air.

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10:30 a.m.

Ohio records show that inspections were up to date and a state permit had just been issued for the thrill ride that broke apart on the Ohio State Fair's opening day, killing one man and injuring seven other people.

The Department of Agriculture records provided Thursday to The Associated Press show passing marks on inspections of about three dozen items including cracks, brakes, proper assembly and installation of the Fire Ball ride.

The operating company, Amusements of America, submitted records of regular inspections and maintenance performed, as well as ride testing by an outside company.

Ohio completed its own inspections and granted a ride permit Wednesday for $150.

The fair reopened Thursday but all the rides were closed, pending further inspections.

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9 a.m.

The Ohio State Fair is open again, but all its amusement rides remain closed a day after a thrill ride on the midway broke apart, killing one man and injuring seven other people.

Gov. John Kasich says all the rides will be closed until they are inspected and deemed safe. He will tour the fair in Columbus on Thursday.

Officials say the 18-year-old man who was killed was one of several people thrown to the ground when the Fire Ball ride malfunctioned.

A video shows the ride's large arm in motion above its platform when a crashing sound is heard and a four-passenger carriage on the arm breaks apart.

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7:30 a.m.

A Columbus fire official says the man killed after an "aggressive thrill ride" fell apart at the Ohio State Fair was 18.

WKRC-TV reports a Columbus Division of Fire spokesman says the seven people injured Wednesday night on the Fire Ball ride range in age from 13 to 41.

Ohio State Wexner Medical Center said early Thursday it's treating three people, two in critical condition and one in serious condition.

The fair is reopening Thursday with rides not operating until they're deemed safe.

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7 a.m.

A woman waiting to get on the Fire Ball ride at the Ohio State Fair says she saw it break apart, sending riders into the air, one man to his death.

Kaylie Bellamy tells WCMH-TV it was chaos Wednesday night. She says she was run over trying to get out of the way.

The accident prompted California State Fair officials to close the Fire Ball ride there.

Ohio officials are investigating the cause of the accident. The ride had passed inspection before the fair in Columbus opened. They say the fair will reopen Thursday but the rides won't operate until they are deemed safe.

Ohio State Wexner Medical Center said it's treating three people, two in critical condition and one seriously injured.

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2:15 a.m.

The Ohio State Fair will be open Thursday, a day after one person was killed and seven others were injured when an "aggressive thrill" ride broke apart.

But officials say the rides won't be running until they're all determined to be safe.

Dramatic video captured by a bystander Wednesday evening shows the Fire Ball ride swinging and spinning when it crashes into something and part of the ride flies off. Screams are heard as passengers are thrown to the ground.

Officials say the man who was killed was one of several people who were thrown. Three of the injured are in critical condition.

Officials say the ride had passed its inspections.

In a statement early Thursday, the fair says its "hearts are heavy for the families of those involved."